5. Preparation of DPR and Planning process:

A mega watershed comprises of 4 to 5 habitations or villages covering an extent of 2000 Ha. to 5000 Ha. The entire mega watershed is sub divided into micro watersheds so that the boundary of each micro watershed is coterminous with village boundary as far as possible. However, while demarcating the micro watersheds, drainage line systems, from ridge to valley approach is followed.

5.1 Planning:
In each micro watershed village, PRA(Participatory Rural Appraisal) exercise are conducted. All sections of community participated in the process of PRA exercises to know their natural and social resources through drawing of resource maps of the village.Various natural resources and social structures existing in the village were depicted in the maps. A transect walk was taken up to perambulate the area to assess the land configuration, soil types, existing vegetation etc.,.After collecting information net planning was taken up.

A team consisting of 10 local educated youth was engaged to conduct household socioeconomic survey in the formats provided and data computerized. Later survey holding wise net planning was with involvement of each farmer in order to decide the location specific interventions to be taken up to improve the productivity of rainfed farm lands. The data collected during net planning, was computerized to arrive at financial implications. Also, a plan for other livelihoods is also prepared for 5 years. A detailed project report is prepared for taking up soil and moisture conservation works, rain water harvesting structures, dry land horticulture, vegetation improvement works, etc., The unit cost of treatment per Ha. is Rs.12000/- . If the planning exceeds the total budget under IWMP, the plan outlay takes into account the MGNREGS funds to make a total watershed development plan. Thus each micro watershed development takes into account both IWMP and MGNREGS funds. For NRM works the programme is heading to words grounding of works/interventions.

6. Payment system for implementation of activities :

The payment for works  in the watershed programme is done through EFMS ( Electronic Fund Management System). For this purpose, one W.C.C (Watershed Computer Centre) is set up at head office of AF and  the WCC is linked  on line  to SLNA (State Level Nodal Agency) Vijayawada, from  where the payments will be made directly into bank accounts  of beneficiaries (Skilled & unskilled thorough  labour or suppliers) after thorough on line verification of muster rolls & M –  Book.  Through this system, progress of works & expenditure  of each watershed is captured instantly by State Level  Nodal Agency every hour.

This system is highly transparent with regard to financial transactions of the programme as anybody can have access to website to know the implementation of the programme.

Table showing the expenditure particulars of IWMP watersheds as on 12-08-2019

7. User Groups:

User groups of farmers within the watershed are formed to inculcate a sense  of ownership and responsibility among  smaller groups over the programme components. Farmers within an area of 100 to 120 Ac, are  formed into a group called “ User group” Sometimes affinity groups are also formed  who can take  up same type of activity (For example, Dry land horticulture , fodder development  etc.,) Each member of group will save  an amount  of atleast Rs.50/- per month.  The User Group members  meet regularly to discuss about the watershed works taken up within their  farm lands. The SLNA  sanctions matching grant to the user groups to take up purchase of implements, seed etc.,  The following table  gives the information of U.Gs and savings in Mega watersheds.

Best performance PIA Award:

AF is implementing the IWMP Projects giving high priority  to participatory approach. Recognizing the efforts of AF  in implementing the projects, the state level and district level administration awarded “ Best  Performance Award” consecutively,  from 2009 to 2012. Muttala watershed is a model watershed, which is being visited by many PIAs from across AP and Telangana States   in order to emulate the processes of participatory watershed development.

Best performance PO award: PO best award district collector and minister Raghuvera Reddy 2014 January 26^th given to best performance award.

8. Watershed Development Fund (WDF):

An amount equal to 5% of the total cost of the works taken up each in farmers land will be contributed by the farmer to WDF. This fund will remain with the WDC, which will be used for post project maintenance of the assets created.

9. Activities taken up under Watershed Development:
10. Entry Point Activity (EPA): The most commonly felt need of the community would be taken up as an EPA, like  access to safe drinking water n the village is one such activity. Water purification (Reverse Osmosis), plants are constructed in every watershed village. Along with water purification plants in all villages

Cattle water troughs are constructed to quench the thirst of animals and small ruminants.

The EPAs are to bring together different sections of people in a village and practice to take decisions in a participatory / consensus approach and also to bring the PIA and the village community on the same page.

2. Treatment of Ridge portions:

Continuous or staggered contour trenches on ridge portions impound rain water to improve moisture in upland areas, and promote natural regeneration of vegetation, besides recharging ground water downstream side.

3. Afforestation in hillocks:Planting the upland hilly areas with fodder, fruit and drought hardy biomass species and conserving natural regeneration arrests soil erosion and serve as carbon sinks.

The commonly planted tree species are ______________________________

4. Treating the drainage lines:Treating the drainage lines with rock fill dams, Gabion structures, loose boulder structures across the first order streams to harvest and reduce the speed of water thus increasing base flows in the drainage system and preventing further deepening of gullies.

5. Farm Ponds:Farm Ponds are constructed at the depression point of lowest contours in rain fed agricultural land holds in order to collect rain water which can be used to provide life saving irrigation to rain fed crops during the long dry spells. The inner sloping sides of the farm pond and the bottom are to be lined with cement mortar, in order to present seepage and store for longer period so that it can be used for life saving irrigation.

6. Dry land Horticulture (DLH):It is an assured income yielding intervention in drought prone areas, like Anantapur district. Farmers in watershed villages have undertaken this activity in large extents of raifed areas.
7. Check Dams:Constructed across stream flows to impound rain water that can stay for 5 to 6 months. Check dams are very useful to increase ground water and rejuvenate the base flows in streams, during summer season. The bore wells in the vicinity of check dam are rejuvenated to give assured irrigation to crops.  The check dams are also providing water for cattle, wild animals, birds etc and for washing clothes.
8. Block plantations in village community lands:Block plantations are raised in village community lands they will increase the greenery and biomass and also help in mitigating the climate change. The plantations raised with species like jamun, neem, tamarind, will yield income to village panchayaths.
9. Percolation Tank:The percolation tanks are meant to harvest the rain water over a large area, and ground water recharge capability is very high. The bore wells situated in the influence zone of a percolation tank, yield ground water sustainably to irrigate the agricultural crops.
10. Raising of fodder Plots: Raising fodder plots are one of the important activities. Many farmers with irrigation facility set apart at least 0.5 Ac. To 1 Ac. of land to grow fodder feed the milch animals, and other small ruminants, to promote milk production through raring of milch animals.
11. Livelihood Activities for the landless and poor:Landless and poor would undertake non-farm income generating activities like raring of milch animals, Auto transport, tailoring etc.,. There is is provision for landless poor to take up income generating activities under watershed development programme. Beneficiaries receive loan from a revolving livelihood fund and repay the same in equal monthly installments with a nominal interest.
12.      Productivity Systems Improvement (PSI ):Productivity Systems Improvement components include procuring farm implements like tillers, cultivators, grass cutting machines, sprayers, etc., Funds are earmarked towards subsidy(50%), and loan portion to provide farm implement packages to user groups, in coordination with A.P.Agro Industries corporation. Custom Hiring Centres are also established under PSI.

Table showing l particulars of Livelihood activities under IWMP watersheds

Consolidated progress under IWMP watershed projects as on 12-08-2019